A medium sized iron grey rat with
crisp fur, white feet, and dark tail that is paler on the under surface than on
top. It is host to the flea, Xenopsylla vexabilis.Berylmysspecies
have rarely been reported from Thailand. Thai farmers usually call them the
handsome rat, referring to their pure grey dorsal fur. UnlikeBandicota
indica,Berylmysspecies
moan discretely while trapped in cages. Females can be easily differentiated
fromBandicotaspecies
with the different number of pair of mammae.

Range Description:

This species ranges from Southern Myanmar, and Southern China
(Southern Yunnan) (Smith et al. 2008), through Thailand
(Robinson et al. 1995),
Lao PDR and Cambodia (Aplin et al. 2003), to southern Vietnam (Dang et al. 1994; Kuznetsov 2000). It roughly occurs from around 200 to 2,000 m. Although the
species occurs at low densities, it can be locally abundant.
It
is absent from southern tropical peninsula of
Thailand

This species inhabits forests from near sea level to at least
1,400 m, but most common in upland areas where it is reported to favour swampy
areas. Occasionally an agricultural pest, but generally avoids human
habitations. It is nocturnal, spending the day in their burrows. Occurs in bushy upland areas or dry cultivated land as cassava, corn, grassland,
banana's orchard. This species also inhabits various forested areas and can
occur at proximity of rice fields. Behaviour: very gentle and quiet.
Systems: Terrestrial

Major Threat(s):

There appear to be no major threats to this species. It
is considered to be a pest species in parts of its range.

Conservation Actions:

It is presumably present in a number of protected areas
within its wide range. Further studies are needed into the taxonomy of this
species.